Are Trailer Tires Rated for Total Gross Weight or Just Loaded Cargo Weight

Updated 03/21/2016 | Published 03/18/2016

Question:

is your load rating for total gross weight or the load on the trailer

asked by: Dale D

Expert Reply:

The maximum weight rating on a trailer tire like the Kenda 215/60-8 Bias Trailer Tire with 8-Inch White Wheel # AM3H290 refers to the tires maximum weight carrying capacity, which includes the trailer weight plus the cargo weight, or total gross weight.

This wheel/tire has a rating of 935-lbs at 50-psi. This means that a set of two of these when properly inflated to the full 50-psi cold tire pressure can handle a total load of 1870-lbs (2 x 935-lbs). This means, for example, that if a trailer weighed 870-lbs and had a 1000-lb loaded cargo weight rating, these two wheels/tires would have just enough capacity.

Trailer tires should always be inflated to the maximum psi pressure noted on the tire sidewall. It is never appropriate to under- or over-inflate a trailer tire.

expert reply by: Adam R